STENOSIPHON VIRGATUS. THE STENOSIPHON. I 6/ 



they might easily be taken without close examination for pedi- 

 cels or flower stalks. It is difficult to conceive for what special 

 advantage to the plant such a very slender tube is designed. 

 The seed vessel, also, is remarkably small. After the flower has 

 faded there seems to be nothing left in the axils of the bracts, 

 and only the careful observer, lens in hand, is likely to discover 

 that perfect seed-vessels have been produced. 



It will also be an interesting study in connection with other 

 plants of the order Onagracea', of which the Fuchsia and the 

 Evening Primrose are familiar examples. The quaternary type, 

 as represented in the four petals, four sepals, and twice four 

 stamens, prevails through the whole order. In the length of the 

 tube of the corolla if not in slenderness we may also find a 

 parallel to our plant in many of the family. The Qinothera or 

 "Evening Primrose" is also closely allied to it; but while so 

 many of this genus open only at evening or morning, or during 

 dull, cloudy weather, the Steuosiphon is an especial lover of 

 daylight and bright skies. 



Most of the order Onagracecr give great pleasure to mankind 

 by their beauty. Our gardens and greenhouses would be badly 

 off without them. As subjects for the artist they are ever tempt- 

 ing his pencil or brush ; and the artist, as his works abundantly 

 show, is as ever ready to avail himself of their beautiful hues, 

 colors, and elegant forms. We shall be very much surprised if 

 the pretty addition we now bring to notice does not become as 

 popular as its brethren, as there is so much that is truly artistic 

 to recommend it. 



The order has few qualities of any service to man beyond this 

 simple gift of beauty; and the species w^e now illustrate is not 

 known to have anything but its beauty to attract us to it. Its 

 relationship to Gaura, a somewhat extensive genus, prevents our 

 attention being so closely drawn to its solitary condition, as it 

 generally is when a genus of but a single species stands entirely 

 isolated from all near kindred. And yet there may be some 

 advantages in cases of this kind, as we can better study the vari- 



